Mary Jenkins Farm Shop is holding a flash closing down sale to save its stocks of fresh produce from landfill.

The High Street grocer shut up shop on Saturday, and failed to reopen on Tuesday. The sudden and unannounced closure came as a shock to residents and dealt a blow to town centre trade.

But the store's landlord, Jeff Jenkins, has stepped in to save the store's perishable goods from going to waste.

The store is holding a flash sale today, which sees its remaining stock being sold at a heavily discounted prices. Once the stock has gone, the shop will close its doors for good.

Mr Jenkins said: "It's all just spur of the moment, it's got to be done. It's far better than it going to waste. If it was non-perishable then the food bank would have it.

"I'm talking to the food bank tonight, to see if there's anything they might be interested in.

"If we can't sell it and the food bank doesn't want it, it will have to go to waste which would be a terrible shame.

The sale is cash only, with prices being agreed at the counter up to and in excess of 50 per cent off.

Some Wellington residents were shocked to learn that business owner Paul Ship had brought an abrupt end to the business on Saturday.

Commenting on Facebook, Steph Steadman said: "Oh no, that's a real shame bus I guess it's our own fault for not using it more often!"

Ross Henley said: "Great shame. Our independent shops need support. We have some fantastic independent shops in Wellington and it's awful to lose shops like Mary Jenkins."

However, others said the closure had not come as a surprise. Louise Winborn said: "Such a shame, but I gave up on going there as they weren't selling local British produce."

Gill Cross said: " Not surprised. Should have kept the shop purely as a greengrocer selling high quality fruit and veg. Standards have dropped and they introduced too many other products. A sad end to a once excellent business. "

With the flash sale now on, the store is set to close when as much stock as possible has been sold.